Warehouse Boom Squeezes Small Manufacturers

October 1, 2018 • Vol. 29 • No. 40 • $2 SERVING BERKS, LEHIGH, NORTHAMPTON & SURROUNDING COUNTIES www.LVB.com

As trade dispute continues, costs and TARIFFS’ TOLL uncertainty trouble manufacturers By BRIAN PEDERSEN [email protected] With more tariffs imposed by the U.S. on a growing number of products and materials, manufacturers find themselves grappling with the uncertainties of how an emerging trade conflict could affect their business. For American Keg Co. in Pottstown, the tariffs are increasing the costs of domestic steel, the only material the company uses to make its kegs. “We use American steel, all made here in Pottstown,” said Paul Czachor, the company CEO. He said American Keg is the only company in the nation to make its kegs out of American steel. From the beginning of the fourth quarter last year, prices for domestic steel have been more than 20 percent higher than prices for imported steel, Czachor said. “Most people would certainly want to buy American made; however, there is a limit,” Czachor said. “We are just asking for a level playing field.” The tariffs are driving up costs for many regional manufacturers that export products to China as well as for companies that buy products from China because of the quality of the material or lack of domestic suppliers. As costs rise, many manufacturers fear passing the cost on to consumers could cost them business. The uncertainty of how many products will be included PHOTO/AMERICAN KEG CO. An employee handles a steel keg inside the manufacturing facility at American Keg Co. in Potttsown. The company said it is the in the tariffs or how much they will increase also creates only U.S. keg maker using American steel. conflicts for manufacturers looking to run their business. With Canada included in recent U.S.-imposed tariffs, and the United Kingdom, all nations hit by U.S.-imposed tariffs. The chamber said an emerging trade war threatens $1.7 pressure is also falling on regional manufacturers that In response to the tariffs, China, the European Union, billion in Pennsylvania exports and the state’s hardest hit export products to that nation. Mexico and Canada have already retaliated or made plans products are coffee, iron/non-alloy steel coated/plated with According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, to strike back with billions of dollars on American-made Pennsylvania’s top export markets are Canada, Mexico, China products, according to the chamber. please see TARIFFS, page 15 Warehouse boom squeezes small manufacturers By JENNIFER TROXELL WOODWARD They are creating jobs and boosting the Manufacturing officials say that they shrinking pool of truck drivers, less capac- Special for Lehigh Valley Business local economy. But smaller manufactur- have to raise wages to compete with the ity on truck hauls and growing highway The industrial landscape in Eastern and ers are feeling the pinch as they fight to fill starting salaries offered at warehouses congestion. Central Pennsylvania is flourishing with skilled jobs, retain good workers and get and distribution centers. Transportation warehouse and distribution centers. their goods shipped to customers. of goods, meanwhile, is hampered by a please see SMALL, page 5

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FRESHPET FEATURES INDEX Behind the List...... 17 POISED FOR Briefs...... 2 GROWTH Calendar...... 17 Freshpet, a pet food Classifieds...... 20 manufacturer in Focus...... 11 Hanover Township, For Your Information...... 17 Northampton County, is expanding its facility Off the Clock...... 19 and growing revenues. Opinion...... 6-9 Page 11 The List...... 21-22 2 Lehigh Valley Business • October 1, 2018 LVB.com

BRIEFS These news briefs originally appeared in LVB.com’s Daily News email or as breaking news. Sign up at LVB.com. Sign of warehouse growth: Major Pocono resorts owner expands in central truck companies expand maintenance Pa. with $76M acquisition facilities in Berks The Missouri-based owner of Jack Frost and Big Boul- In a sign of the growth of distribution warehouses der Ski Resorts in the Poconos has just purchased the in the Greater Lehigh Valley, two of the largest trucking owner of a number of central Pennsylvania resorts for $76 companies in the country have opened new maintenance million. facilities in Berks County. Peak Resorts Inc. has purchased Snow Time Inc., which Ryder System Inc., based in Miami, and Old Dominion is the parent company of Roundtop Mountain Resort in Freight Line Inc., based in Thomasville, N.C., built facilities York County as well as Liberty Mountain Resort in Adams near major highways and Interstates 78 and 81. County and Whitetail Resort in Franklin County. Ryder opened a 14,000-square-foot, full-service Including Jack Frost and Big Boulder, Peak Resorts maintenance garage last week at 86 Ashley Way, off Route operates 14 ski resorts, primarily in the Northeast and 61 in Ontelaunee Township, near Leesport. The facility will Midwest, 13 of which are company owned. Most of the serve the growing number of trucks powered with alterna- 280-seat space for both indoor and outdoor dining, said resorts are located within 100 miles of major metropolitan tive energy, such as natural gas and electricity, as well as manager Anthony Trapani. The restaurant also offers two markets, including New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, diesel trucks. private dining areas. Cleveland and St. Louis. In June, Old Dominion opened an 82-door service Weather permitting, rooftop seating would be available center on a 16-acre site in Cumru Township, near Birds- year-round, he added. St. Luke’s opens two new health centers boro. The company has eight centers in Pennsylvania, St. Luke’s University Health Network recently opened including Bethlehem Township and Harrisburg. The latest Kutztown University unveils social media lab two health centers in the region. facility is near Interstate 176 and Route 422, and helps As jobs in social media continue to grow, employers are The newly built St. Luke’s Health Center-Belvidere boost the company’s presence in eastern Pennsylvania. increasingly honing in on applicants with the right skills. opened this month at 187 County Route 519, Warren Old Dominion is expanding nationally and recently And colleges and universities are looking to make sure County, N.J. The center includes physicians who are spe- finished upgrading or building six new facilities. their students graduate with those skills. cialists in rheumatology and orthopedics, including hand Among them is Kutztown University, which last week and wrist and primary care sports medicine. Rooftop restaurant ready for November debut opened its Social Media Analytics Strategic Hub, or Other services include St. Luke’s Belvidere Family Prac- In November, a $20M office complex long champi- SMASH. Officials hosted a ribbon cutting for the lab, which tice, a laboratory, a physical therapy office and a walk-in oned as a catalyst for helping to revitalize South Side the university designed specifically for students in its St. Luke’s Care Now office. The walk-in clinic is the 15th in Bethlehem will see its newest tenant open a rooftop social media theory and strategy major. the network. restaurant. The major, which the university introduced a year St. Luke’s Miners Health Center recently opened in a The creators of Grille 3501 in South Whitehall Township ago, has 48 students, said Diana Ebersole, associate medical office building, 411 S. Shenandoah Road, Ring- plan to open a second restaurant, Zest Bar and Grille, on professor and chairperson of communication studies town, Schuylkill County. the sixth floor of the new building at 306 South New St. in at Kutztown University. In the spring, students will be The center is SLUHN’s third rural health clinic. The Bethlehem. able to minor in social media theory and strategy, she others are in Nesquehoning and Tamaqua in Carbon Zest will offer a menu of New American cuisine in a said. County. LVB.com Lehigh Valley Business • October 1, 2018 3

R.M. Candy maker creates sweet traditions Palmer Co. in West By KIM SODEN ing part in the United Way Campaign, for many years and helped us imple- Reading Special for Lehigh Valley Business plans to which has been a long tradition at R.M. ment a campaign analysis process that kick off For 70 years a family-owned business Palmer. we use to this day to develop campaign the holiday in Berks County has filled Easter bas- “R.M. Palmer Co. has a long-standing strategies.” season kets, Christmas stockings, Halloween history of supporting United Way and What’s new for the 71st year? with a life-sized bags and Valentine’s Day hearts with our community,” said Tammy White, “We’re coming out with a real-size foot- hollow hollow bunnies, gold coins, Santas and president of the United Way of Berks ball,” Schlott said. “It’s nothing anyone has chocolate many other types of character or theme County. “Rich Palmer served as our really ever seen before. We’re launching football. candy. board chair in the early 1990s, supported it for Christmas as one of our new hollow PHOTO/ R.M. Palmer Co. in West Reading, was our loaned campaign specialist program innovations.” SUBMITTED founded by the late Richard M. Palmer Sr. in 1948. A native of Berks County, Palmer’s vision was to create holiday candy that not only tasted good but was fun as well. “The company has grown tremen- dously,” said Mark Schlott, executive vice president of operations and COO at the company today. “We’re now the fifth-largest chocolate manufacturer in the U.S.” R.M. Palmer’s first success, Baby Binks, are hollow Easter Bunnies with yellow and blue eyes. All the company’s candy is hollow, which sets it apart from other can- dies. Yahoo milk is another well-known R.M. Palmer product. For hankTrusting You Us to According to the company’s web site, T Palmer opened his first location in West Reading with four employees. He and his Solve The Lehigh Valley’s son, current company CEO Richard M. Palmer Jr., eventually opened a manufacturing facility in Wyomissing and a distribution center in Exeter. Legal Challenges The company currently employs 850 people: 570 full-time and the remainder on a seasonal basis. Schlott, who has been For 30 Years with R.M. Palmer for 33 years, is one of many employees who have enjoyed long careers with the company. He added that one employee recently retired after a 49-year career. The company markets its products worldwide, Schott said, with candy selling particularly well in Japan and Canada. Several new products such as a selfie bunny as well as male and female super- hero bunnies were rolled out over the Easter holiday. A selfie campaign contest Proudly serving was launched nationwide and largely driven by social media outlets Facebook, the community Instagram, Pinterest and the company web site. “We also utilized public relations and since 1988. partnered with several blogger/online influencers to get the word out, create awareness of the selfie bunnies,” said John Kerr, Palmer’s director of marketing. Employee engagement was also a big Corporate • Real Estate • Healthcare endeavor, Schlott said, with staff tak- Employment • Litigation • Intellectual Property

R.M. PALMER CO. Mergers & Acquisitions • Estate Planning < What: Seasonal candy manufacturer < No. Employees: 850 < Locations: Three www.flblaw.com • 610 797-9000 • 4001 Schoolhouse Lane, Center Valley, PA 18034 < Website: http://www.rmpalmer.com/ everyday/ 4 Lehigh Valley Business • October 1, 2018 LVB.com

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AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT PHOTO/BELCHONOCK Audience Development Manager Tracy Bumba For subscription information and questions, please call 888-506-5770 Ruling on hiring could affect Pa. employers REPRINTS/PLAQUES Lisa Arnold By THOMAS A. BARSTOW contained anti-discrimination language that that health care employers could argue that [email protected] • 717-323-5213 Special for Lehigh Valley Business forbids adverse decisions involving employ- patient safety is an issue if they have employ- A federal court in Connecticut deter- ees who have been certified as medically ees using medical marijuana. They just need ADVERTISING Senior Account Executive mined earlier this month that a company needing marijuana. to do the proper due diligence on job appli- John C. Coyle III • [email protected] • ext. 4105 erred when it denied employment to an The Connecticut law uses the same anti- cants. She also noted that employers and Account Executive applicant who uses medical marijuana and discrimination language as the Pennsylvania employees who fall under federal guidelines Jennifer Rush • [email protected] • ext. 4106 failed a drug test, a ruling that Pennsylvania act, Elliott said. The Connecticut case to do their work – such as truck drivers who Special Inserts Account Executive companies should heed, an attorney noted. – Noffsinger v. SSC Niantic Operating Co. – must have commercial driver’s licenses – still Nancy Signorovitch • [email protected] • ext. 4117 Denise E. Elliott, an attorney with the started nearly three years ago, so it had more need to follow federal rules for their profes- Lancaster County office of McNees Wallace time to get through the system, she said. In sions. EVENTS Events Coordinator & Nurick LLC, said the Connecticut case the case, the health and rehabilitation facil- Judith Cassel, an attorney with Hawke Dayna Edelman is a reminder that companies should be ity offered a job as activities manager to the McKeon & Sniscak and member of the [email protected] • ext. 4109 careful in hiring decisions involving people woman who was certified to use medical firm’s Cannabis Law PA practice group, said Copyright 2018 by BridgeTower Media. All rights who have prescriptions for medical mari- marijuana but rescinded the offer after the Pennsylvania businesses need to be care- reserved. Volume 29, Number 40. Lehigh Valley Business is protected under the federal Copyright Act. juana. She suggests that the company lost drug test. ful until there is firm federal guidance. Her Reproductions of any part by any means or facsimiles without the express written permission of the publisher the Connecticut case because it didn’t cau- Pennsylvania business advocates have advice is for employers to consult attorneys are not permitted. Reprints of LVB articles are avail- tiously follow up after the applicant failed a expressed concerns since the state law was who understand the shifting challenges. able. Authorization to photocopy articles for internal corporate or instructional use may be obtained from the routine drug test. passed that many employers – particularly Where zero-tolerance workplace drug poli- Copyright Clearance Center at 978-750-8400. Lehigh Valley Business (ISSN 2169-219X) is pub- “The employer lost because they did manufacturers – are in a bind because the cies once seemed clear, they are now mud- lished weekly by BridgeTower Media, 1500 Paxton St., Harrisburg, PA 17104-2633. Periodicals postage paid nothing,” Elliott said. state law conflicts with federal law that bans died, she said. at Harrisburg, PA and at additional mailing offices. The applicant had told the company that marijuana. In manufacturing, workers often She said similar issues will be playing out POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Lehigh Valley Business, 1500 Paxton St., Harrisburg PA 17104-2633. she had a prescription for medical mari- use heavy machinery, which mean employ- in all sectors of business. She is handling a Lehigh Valley Business services business owners, managers and professionals in an eight-county juana, so it wasn’t a surprise that she tested ers must have strong anti-drug and alcohol case in Indiana County involving a housing region comprising Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Schuylkill, Monroe, northern Bucks and northern positive. But the company should have policies, said David N. Taylor, president of dispute over Section 8. Her client was denied Montgomery counties. followed up the drug tests with pertinent Subscriptions are available for $59 per year, two years the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association housing by the federal rent-subsidy program for $89, and three years for $119. questions, such as whether the drug would in Harrisburg. because she didn’t want to take opioids for Note to Readers have an impact on her work and whether “We need to balance several things – the a back problem and was instead prescribed Opinions expressed in any commentary published in this newspaper are not necessarily those of Lehigh Valley the effects would have worn off before medical needs of the worker and safety in medical marijuana. Business. she started her shift. The applicant was the workplace,” Taylor said. “But workplace Opioid use has become an epidemic, but Any suggestion written in material published by this newspaper is not to be regarded as advice (legal, tax, using medical marijuana to help her sleep safety is non-negotiable … How do you the prescription drugs are recognized by investment or otherwise), and Lehigh Valley Business assumes no liability for actions taken by any group or because of post-traumatic stress disorder, maintain safety on the manufacturing floor?” the federal government, while marijuana individual based upon such material. We welcome your opinion on issues. Write to Lehigh Elliott said. Taylor stressed that he is not familiar with remains an illegal narcotic under federal Valley Business at the address listed above, c/o Editor. You “They chose not to ask her,” Elliott said. “I the Connecticut case and that he knows of law. Her client, 62, is a disabled veteran also can email your comments to [email protected]. can’t say for certain, but the outcome might no similar case in Pennsylvania. But he said who has never been in legal trouble but Published by BridgeTower Media have been different if they had. They didn’t employers will remain in a difficult position needed housing because she was leaving a take the steps to determine if she would be a until the federal government acts in a way bad domestic situation. She told the hous- safety concern.” that all states with medical marijuana laws ing agency the truth about the marijuana Pennsylvania has yet to see similar cases, can ensure protections for employers. Elliott prescription, which was enough for her to be so she and other lawyers have been watch- agreed action must come from the federal denied housing, Cassel said. ing cases in other states for any lessons to level but doesn’t see that happening any “I really feel for this woman,” said Cassel, be learned. When Pennsylvania passed its time soon. who took the case pro-bono. “No one should medical marijuana law two years ago, she She noted that the Connecticut case have to decide whether to be addicted to said, McNees advised clients the new law didn’t involve a manufacturing facility but opioids or to have a roof over their head.” LVB.com Lehigh Valley Business • October 1, 2018 5

and larger companies are taking up more space on SMALL trucks. continued from page 1 “You cannot ship the orders if you do not have the people to do the shipping,” he said. “Skilled workers are really in the driver’s seat these Darlene Robbins, president of Northeast COMPLETE A SURVEY days. Employees are in a good position where they can Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers If you need a survey to appear in one go anywhere,” said Ken Laga, director of marketing for Association in Pottsville, polled several small manufac- of our lists, email Chris Holland at Nazareth Pallet Co. Inc. in Northampton. turers in Schuylkill County. [email protected]. The shortages stretch from the production floor to She said she found that they are having a tough time the driver’s seat. To help, employers are promoting their shipping their products. The larger manufacturers, companies at job fairs and in advertisements and giving warehouses and distribution centers are taking prece- RECEIVE DAILY NEWS people with prison records second-chance opportuni- dence, as they produce larger volumes of goods and Sign up for our free daily-news service ties, Laga said. take up more capacity in trucks hauling goods to the and get breaking local news in your inbox “Worker shortage is probably the No.1 issue in end user. every weekday at noon. Go to www.lvb. warehousing and logistics, and same with the smaller More creativity and planning is required to keep com, scroll to the bottom and click on manufacturers,” said Jack Pfunder, president and CEO costs down, she said. Manufacturers have to give more “Subscribe to E-news.” of the Manufacturers Resource Center in Hanover advance notice for larger shipments, for example. Township, Lehigh County. “One manufacturer said it was impacted by limited He said that finding and keeping entry-level workers capacity on loads, and sometimes the trucks do not on the production floor is an ongoing problem, and it show up at all,” Robbins said. GET YOUR TICKETS View a list of upcoming events — and spills over to the transportation department, where there At the Manufacturers’ Association in York, execu- is a shortage of truck drivers. tive director Tom Palisin said that shipping and register for them — at www.lvb.com/events. Manufacturers struggle to compete with warehouses procurement have been “hit hard by the shrinking and distribution centers, which pull workers away with workforce.” starting wages that are hard to match. Other perks also Smaller employers have more trouble negotiating INTERACT ONLINE are critical. shipping rates, and they do not always have their own Bookmark Lehigh Valley Business stories “People want a better work-home life balance, so transportation departments – unlike larger manufactur- and save them for your friends. Our employers have to get creative with employee sched- ers, warehousing and distribution companies. home page (www.lvb.com) also features ules,” said Pfunder, whose organization works with On a brighter note, Laga at Nazareth Pallet said that blogs where you can post your feedback, manufacturers in the Lehigh Valley, Berks, Carbon and the surge in warehousing and distribution has kept the comment and add the blogs to your RSS Schuylkill counties. “The rate and pay to keep workers pallet company busy, since those facilities all need pal- feed. Keep up with the latest business has been raised substantially, as the younger generation lets to store and haul products. news tweets on Twitter @LVB_com. is impatient. They can go down the street for fifty cents “It has meant an increase in customer growth, and Discuss the latest issues facing Lehigh to a dollar more an hour.” we have invested in more capital and added a produc- Valley businesses on LinkedIn and According to Pfunder, it appears easier to get tion line of custom pallets,” Laga said. “We have posi- Facebook. To add your comments, log in raw materials into a manufacturing facility, but tioned ourselves to be more aggressive, and we have or register at either social networking site when it comes to shipping goods out, scheduling the advantage of knowing a warehouse is coming into and search for “Lehigh Valley Business.” can be tricky. The driver shortage comes into play, (Pennsylvania) before it gets here.”

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Nonprofit organizations and career turing jobs more than jobs in most other and technical schools offer summer industries. camps that introduce science, technology, I’ve been in manufacturing for almost engineering and math, or STEM, to young- 50 years and I’ve never seen the technical er students, along with other programs. talent pipeline as barren as it’s been the Another effective solution is for manu- last few years. Why? facturing companies is to be more actively At the end of World involved with local schools and commu- War II, when GIs came nity colleges. It will require time for tours, back home looking presentations at schools, and one-on-one for opportunities for interaction with students to improve the employment, the awareness of their companies and the jobs economy needed to that are available. But the barriers need be rebuilt, which was to be overcome before we can come close Jack a perfect fit for growth to filling the talent pipeline for the jobs in Pfunder in manufacturing. This the years ahead. This is the paradigm shift is the reason why such needed and we need it now. a large percentage of And don’t forget, “If you can hire them, returning soldiers got trained and started PHOTO/MACOR can you keep them?” The best way for a long-term careers working for manufac- manufacturer to help solve the talent pipe- turers. but the culture is much different now. which can be broken down into three line shortage is to retain the employees Fast forward 30 years and this large Manufacturing has a bad image and most parts. they have already hired. A 2018 retention group of workers started to retire. That of this younger generation, through no First is the lack of awareness of what report, sponsored by the Work Institute, was in the 1970s and early 1980s. During fault of their own, hasn’t had the expo- a manufacturing job looks like, the good found employees in their first year quit that period I was a manufacturing man- sure to mechanical experiences and pay in the industry and the long-term their jobs at the highest rate in eight years ager in Indiana. We saw this large retire- training. opportunities for employment. Second is and that three out of four resignations ment bubble coming and started hiring Manufacturers today must be cre- the outdated image that manufacturing were preventable. The top reasons in 2017 entry-level employees to fill the jobs left ative to find the correct match to fill has among teachers, parents, and students for employees leaving were career devel- by this core of technical employees leav- advanced technology positions. When a because of past impressions of the indus- opment and lack of growth opportunities ing the workforce. It took planning, but baby boomer retires, most manufacturers try. The third is that schools and manu- in a preferred position or career, which the problem was not the same as the agree that they must do most of the train- facturing companies need to partner with moves “bad supervisor” to third place. problem we are seeing today. Back then, ing themselves for new hires or advance each other but don’t know how. Companies must stay current about trends a lot of the young potential hires were an existing employee to fill the job; but Over the last five years, there has been a and the needs of the younger generation part-time farmers, or they were at least then that leaves another position to be lot of good local work achieved to address because times are changing. It’s just a dif- able to take apart car engines, so they back-filled by another existing employee. these three problems. For instance, there ferent era and time. had a mechanical aptitude and gaps left With unemployment around 4 percent, are programs like the “What’s So Cool by retirements were easy to fill. the talent pipeline needs to be filled with About Manufacturing” video contest and Jack E. Pfunder is president and CEO Here we are 35 or 40 years later, and untrained job seekers, mostly from high the “Dream Team” of young manufactur- of Manufacturers Resource Center in the we have a large bubble of baby boom- school. This is the employment problem ing professionals who give classroom Lehigh Valley. He can be reached at (610) ers ready to retire from manufacturing, most manufacturers are facing today, presentations to high school and middle 628-4575 or [email protected]. Employers need to be civically engaging employees According to CNBC, Pennsylvania’s Advocacy Portal, a website available information on public policies, candi- vote; 55 percent said it led them to learn economy is ranked 42 out of the 50 states. through the Northeast Pennsylvania dates, and information about current offi- more about a policy issue; 65 percent said This is not an anomaly, as ranking after Manufacturers and Employers cials serving the commonwealth. the information made them more likely ranking and study Association. It also provides information on voter to vote; and 83 percent said the informa- after study show a It is crucial that employers give their registration, absentee ballots and polling tion was helpful in deciding how to vote. sluggish Pennsylvania employees access to policy information, places. This allows employers and their It’s not a surprise. Employees trust their private sector. ensuring employees are able to make employees to better acclimate themselves employer to give them a paycheck every The goal of confident, intelligent decisions when with the political process along with the two weeks, to provide them with benefits, Pennsylvania poli- they go to the polls. Employees are crav- public policies that affect them most. training and a better way of life. Why cymakers should be ing this material, but in the last election Is employer-to-employee engagement wouldn’t they also trust their employer to make it a smart cycle less than two in 10 employers gave effective? The answer is a resounding yes! with this information? Darlene business decision for their employees any policy or political There is an established and inherent trust Advocacy is a necessary function of our Robbins employers to locate, communication. Meanwhile, employ- with one’s employer; this motivates the members and the productive sector of our expand and hire in ees report their employers as their most employee to engage with the technology economy. We can help shape pro-growth the commonwealth trusted source for political and policy offered by our organization. By using this policies, allowing an increase in jobs, eco- rather than in one of our competitor information. This creates a blind spot that technology, an employee is able to access nomic competitiveness, and wealth for states. must be filled for the betterment of our information on current candidates, look all citizens of the commonwealth and the Likewise, the goal of federal policymak- commonwealth and that’s the void the at their voting record, contact their offices, United States. The ultimate goal is stress- ers ought to be to optimize conditions for Pennsylvania Prosperity Project seeks to write advocacy letters, find their polling ing the importance for employers to civi- economic growth in the United States so fill. places, and register to vote. It’s a one-stop- cally engage with their employees. American businesses can compete world- Our Advocacy Portal is a grassroots shop for all things policy and political for wide. voter education program. This education the productive sector of Pennsylvania. Darlene J. Robbins is president of But to do this, the private sector must tool is non-partisan, but supports pro- The results are astounding. According Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers engage in public policy and the politi- economic growth policies. Our objective is to polling results, 52 percent of those and Employers Association, based in cal process. Luckily, it’s easier to do this to provide employers and employees with exposed to information from their Pottsville. The Advocacy Portal is available than ever before with the newly enhanced easy to access, vetted, and nonpartisan employers said it led them to register to at nepa-maea.mmp2.org Money talks. Wealth whispers.

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Hanover Harrisburg Lancaster State College Wyomissing York 717.632.2725 717.461.9810 717.393.9721 814.325.7860 610.927.4685 717.846.6214 8 Lehigh Valley Business OPINION October 1, 2018 LVB.com Finding ways to fill the skills gap Industrial productivity is driven by colleges felt their IT and computer-related innovations in technology. Steam powered classes were not keeping up with the IT engines in the 1800s powered dozens of skills new employees would need to drive belted machine tools. Industry 4.0 innovations. Electricity led to mass WHAT TO DO production in the early Can employers do anything differently 1900s. Automation to change this outlook? and the development Generally, employers seek candidates of computer numeri- with experience. When they can’t find them, cal control changed they often contact a technical temp agency production even more; to fill the position. This tells us a few things; Eileen no longer did it take one, that people with the needed skills are Sullivan-Scully 20 years to develop the out there. Two, that there were reasons why skills and precision to a person who would do that work via a temp manufacture complex agency had not applied for the position. parts and the tooling to make those parts. One major reason is that technology is Precision machines and computerization ILLUSTRATION/KRITIYA changing so fast that employers inadver- reduced skill levels and enabled globaliza- data collection and IT systems for a total not sustainable.” He predicts that without tently require an impossible amount of tion of the workforce. transformation of the way a plant works. more focus on STEM (science, technology, experience. In some cases any experience Since the 1980s technology advance- This industrial transformation needs engineering and math) there could be as over two years old would be in something ments in industry have been incremental. computer-savvy employees at all levels of the many as 14 million jobs left open by the else, not the software or equipment that the Compared to the huge breakthroughs in company – skilled trades, engineering, qual- skills gap by 2020. employee is required to master. Another side communications, e-commerce and IT, ity assurance, warehouse and engineering. He’s not alone in his expectations. The of that coin is when the equipment and soft- industry has “pushed machinery closer “People don’t have the … specific career 2012 Tech Trends report by IBM provided ware is proprietary; then experience would together” and “added sensors” along with training they need in today’s technologically the results of a survey of 1,200 profession- be a wash and only propensity to learn and combining several department’s data onto advancing world. We need the skills to keep als making technology hiring decisions trainability would be key factors. one overarching computer program. this very complex technology working. This for their organizations. Only one in 10 of Another reason impeding the right peo- Steam power, electrification, and auto- includes medical technology, aerospace, those organizations felt it currently had ple from applying is vestigial to the highly mation have taken us this far. Now it is time automotive, etc.” said Ed Gordon, the author the skills needed to implement advanced competitive 1980s and 1990s, when com- for Industry 4.0., which is shorthand for of the upcoming “Future Jobs: Solving the technologies such as cloud computing, panies began to require bachelor’s degrees the new digital industrial technology that is Employment Skills Crisis.” mobile app and business analytics. More for jobs that have no inherent need for that evolving now. It is a concept that manufac- “You can have all the latest technology than 60 percent defined the skills gap as much education. As this happened, the job turing can benefit from an interconnected- you want,” Gordon notes. “But if you don’t moderate to major. They also found that ness of all equipment, sensors, procedures, have the talent behind it, your business is almost half of the educators at over 200 please see GAP, page 9

TAKING STOCK: Big gains and a new broker Dear Mr. Berko: We bought 1,000 government crap we have to process my gut tells me that TMK’s long-term shares of Torchmark at $14, and after every day. appreciation potential is not very high. two splits, we’ve got 2,250 shares worth We need to know whether we should Sell TMK. Take your $184,000 profit and $88 each. We bought 1,000 shares of sell the above issues because neither of weep! Universal Display us has enough confidence in this broker. The shares of Universal Display at $22, and it’s And we need advice on what income (OLED) move up and down like a now $121. And we issues to purchase. My wife, also a phy- yo-yo on stilts. OLED is engaged in the bought 1,000 shares sician, and I are both 57. We both plan research, development and commercial-

of American Tower to do locum tenens work, which will PHOTO/ONE INCH PUNCH ization of organic light-emitting diode at $23, and it’s now allow us to travel and work a few weeks technologies and materials for use in $146. We have other in various cities around the country. a jim-dandy record of revenue, earn- flat-panel display and solid-state light- stocks with good Your advice is greatly appreciated. – RS, ings and dividend growth. There are 22 ing. OLED licenses its technologies to Malcolm gains, though not so Atlanta brokers who follow AMT. Twenty-one manufacturers of cellphones, laptops and Berko good as those above. Dear RS: Wow! Quickly adopt your of them have “buy” recommendations; other portable devices. Earlier this year, The stockbroker who original broker. one brokerage says to “hold.” AMT is a OLED traded above $200 a share. OLED sold us these issues Torchmark (TMK) at $14, American sweet keeper for income-minded long- has impressive earnings potential, and if changed firms last January. He joined a Tower (AMT) at $23 and Universal term investors. you can handle the volatility, the stock is small brokerage we never heard of, so Display (OLED) at $22. You must have Torchmark is the parent company of a keeper. we didn’t follow him. Another reason we angel friends living in heaven! If you Liberty National Life Insurance Co. This Move your account back to that old bro- didn’t move is it’s a record-keeping mess hadn’t sent me the name of your previous is a dandy growth stock, with impressive ker. He is a known quantity and isn’t inter- to change firms. broker (whom I know), I’d have thought revenue, earnings and principal growth ested in selling high-commission products Our account is handled by a nice you were funning me. The process of over the past 20 years. It pays a mingy such as annuities and mutual funds. It young man, but he lacks the gravi- changing firms years ago was as much dividend, but instead, management has doesn’t make a tinker’s dam worth of dif- tas (my wife’s word) of our other fun as an anal probe. Today it’s instan- been using earnings and free cash flow ference which brokerage firm you use; adviser. He wants us to sell the above taneous; just a tap on the key and then for years to repurchase 62 percent of its they all sell the same stuff at the same three issues and put half the pro- trouble begins. outstanding shares. That’s impressive! prices. It’s the adviser who represents you ceeds in a fixed annuity and half in a Keep your AMT, which is a real estate TMK’s various subsidiaries sell life and that makes all the difference. tax-efficient income-growth mutual investment trust and the largest owner- health insurance products and annuities fund. This broker wants to change the operator of broadcast and wireless in the U.S., Canada and New Zealand. Florida-based Malcolm Berko regu- direction of our account from growth towers in the world. AMT has 27,000 Even though TMK has impressive operat- larly dispenses financial advice. You may and income to income because I plan sites in the U.S. plus 143,000 sites in ing fundamentals and a strong capital address questions to him at P.O. Box 8303, to retire from my medical practice numerous locations overseas. This is an base, there’s not an analyst on Wall Street Largo, FL 33775, or by email at mjberko@ next June. You wouldn’t believe the excellent growth-income issue that has sporting a “buy” recommendation. So yahoo.com. Creators Syndicate Inc. LVB.com October 1, 2018 OPINION Lehigh Valley Business 9

process; Industry 4.0 can’t be achieved with Building teams that include some of training and developing talent. Experts GAP new hires who are expected to drag every- employees recently graduated, some mid- believe the solution will be from the bottom continued from page 8 one else along. Hire for aptitude and poten- career and some who have been with the up, not from the government. Companies tial, then send them along with the current company a long time positions you to ben- that capitalize their training/talent devel- statistics reflected that high school graduates employees to get the training and skills efit from several outlooks as well as grow opment as they do equipment and facilities had higher unemployment rates and lower needed to implement the new technology. talent. As people retire, others are ready to will have a competitive advantage. wages when they did work, but they also An older employee with a thorough knowl- step into new roles. showed a downward trend in salaries for edge of production issues and demands is Germany, China, India and Japan are Eileen Sullivan-Scully is the director four-year graduates as they took the semi- better positioned to ensure the right things embracing Industry 4.0. To compete in a of business development for Enhanced skilled jobs formerly held by high school are monitored, communicated and inte- global marketplace we need a system over- Information Solutions for the Greater grads with in-house training. Jobs like CNC grated for quantum leaps in productivity. haul, not just tweaks to the current system Philadelphia Area. programmer, production managers, QA and some IT positions have no inherent need for a four-year degree, just some specialized certificate training. Challenge yourself to rethink the level of experience and education required of applicants and look instead for good self-management skills, work atti- tudes and an ability to learn. RETHINK JOB REQUIREMENTS Those writing job descriptions may object: MEET when they get 50 applicants for a position requiring a bachelor’s degree and five years’ experience, at least 30 of them will have neither. Unfortunately there are many good people out there who weed themselves out because they have only three years of college THE GUY and four years of experience. They never apply. They imagine that if they got an inter- view they’d be called on the carpet for the audacity of wasting your time. These same people can get work only at a temp agency, and when you can’t fill a position, this same WHO PUT ‘unqualified’ person comes to work for you and does a wonderful job. It works because the majority of junior-senior year classes at college do not make a person better at this job, and after two years of experience pretty much everything is covered. THE PRO Katja Wald, director of global marketing at Aquent, a technical staffing temp agency, observes, “Because Aquent staffs these positions with contractors, we know there are people who can fill those gaps, but many times they prefer to work as contractors. IN PRO They are part of a growing group of highly skilled professionals who prefer the flexibility and variation (of work) that a contract provides. As a result, we often suggest companies adjust their expectations a bit and con- sider looking for candidates who have those BUSINESS. highly specialized skills but prefer a tempo- rary job. Additionally, we’ve seen contract- to-hire become a popular option so that both employer and employee can evaluate each other and see if it’s the right skills match.” What else can a company do to compete for new graduates in the fields needed? Partnering with students in that field is an excellent way to get the pick of the lit- ter. Offer plant tours or on-site technology explorations to the teachers of students soon Governor to graduate. Offer ‘shadow-day’ programs where soon-to-graduate students can spend one to three days seeing what the job is like. Creating summer internships or short internships in early January is an ideal way to For a state to have a pro-business climate, it must have a pro-business governor. improve the odds of a good hire. Getting the Arkansas’ Asa Hutchinson is actively involved in attracting and keeping business best students to apply for positions is sometimes as easy as inviting them over for a day. in our state. He’s developed a pro-business culture that is ready to act quickly and Another key strategy is to train for the decisively on corporate interests. Learn more about how a business-friendly state ArkansasEDC.com/probusiness skills needed in-house or by sending can work for you at ArkansasEDC.com/probusiness. 1-800-ARKANSAS employees to take classes. In today’s world keeping incumbent workers up to steam is important. Upgrading skills is a lifelong 10 Lehigh Valley Business • October 1, 2018 LVB.com Nestlé Purina plant in growth mode By KATHY RUFF Special for Lehigh Valley Business NESTLÉ PURINA Nestlé Purina celebrates 60 years of < Industry: Pet food manufacturer manufacturing operations at its South < Location: 2050 Pope Road, South Whitehall Whitehall Township location this year. Township ALPO, the company’s predecessor, broke < Number of employees: 480 ground in 1958 at the current Pope Road < Website address: www.purina.com location. Today Nestlé is undertaking an expansion project that includes the addition of “Whenever we have those kinds of good a 53,000-square-foot warehouse, two new global brands, it helps us with our jobs, tractor-trailer parking areas and 80 more which is recruiting business investment in spaces in its employee parking lot. the Lehigh Valley,” Tuerk said. “It smoothes The project – begun in 2017 and expect- the conversation a little bit. They know that ed to be complete by the end of 2019 – also Nestle has made a decision to invest in the calls for adding a new production and pack- Lehigh Valley and they obviously value it if aging line and installing new technology. they are continuing to invest here.” The company expects to create 35 jobs The investment extends beyond the and boost production by 30 percent. traditional industry circles and into other “Nestlé Purina is proud to operate sectors of the economy, including vendor in Allentown and this recent expansion and contractor relationships. reflects a significant investment that sup- ALPO founded the factory in 1936 to ports local jobs,” said Winston Silva, fac- make pet food and moved operations to tory manager for the facility. PHOTO/SUBMITTED their current site in 1958. Nestlé acquired The company currently employs 480 at Nestlé Purina’s pet food factory in South Whitehall Township is undergoing an expansion that will ALPO in 1985 and has carried out various its South Whitehall location, making high- create 35 jobs and boost production volume. expansions over the years. quality pet food including ALPO, Friskies industry sector,” said Matthew Tuerk, vice invested in a major manufacturing facility “We have many employees who have and Pro Plan. president of economic development and closer to the South Whitehall Nestlé plant. lived and worked here their entire careers The company’s expansion, meanwhile, marketing for the Lehigh Valley Economic “They are establishing a can manufac- and come from multi-generation Purina has provided a catalyst for additional Development Corp. “Having them here turing facility there to supply cans to that families,” Silva said. growth in the Lehigh Valley as suppliers is great for us for recruiting additional Nestlé facility,” he said. “That’s a $15 mil- Nestlé Purina partners with local and other vendors are showing interest in operations. The companies that are part lion investment that’s projected to create schools, including Lehigh County Technical following Nestlé’s investments. of Nestle’s supply chain also are industries 30 jobs over the next three years.” Institute and Northampton Community “It’s one of the major contributors to our interested in being in the market.” The LVEDC is working to generate addi- College to provide technical training for its efforts to recruit new investment in that For example, Silgan Containers recently tional growth in the area. existing and future workforce.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2018 LEHIGH WINNERS AND TOP FUNDRAISERS

Ron Jerdon Kimberly S. Yarnall, MD Jerdon Construction Mountain Valley Orthopedics

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) would like to thank all of the 2018 Man & Woman of the Year participants. Because of their efforts and commitments, LLS is able to advance breakthrough cancer treatments and therapies. Beating Cancer is in Our Blood. For more information visit MWOY.org I N S I D E FOUR QUESTIONS WITH AIR PRODUCTS CEO SEIFI GHASEMI “Creating a positive environment is the most critical task of any BusinessFOCUS ON MANUFACTURING company’s leadership” Page 17 October 1, 2018 • www.LVB.com Next week: Banking & Finance Pet food feeds growth at Freshpet

By BRIAN PEDERSEN [email protected] Pets are people too. At least that’s a concept many consumers lean toward as pet-owners pay more and more attention to how they care for their animals, including what goes into their bellies. For Freshpet, that means the fresh pet food manufacturing business will continue to grow, as evidenced by the company’s recent plans to invest $100 million to expand its Hanover Township, Northampton County site and cre- Billy Cyr ate a campus linking several buildings. With the project became set to begin next year, $190 million in revenue projected CEO of for 2018, and plans to reach $300 million in revenue by Freshpet in 2020; the company is relying on continued growth. September 2016 with “We are well on our way to delivering on our 2020 the goal of goals,” said Billy Cyr, CEO of Freshpet, headquartered in changing Secaucus, N.J. how people The company’s success stems from the changing way buy pet food. humans feel about their pets. No longer is the dog sleep-

ing in the doghouse. Now it is cuddling up in the owner’s PHOTO/BRIAN PEDERSEN please see FRESHPET, page 13

A service of Populytics 2018

Presented by: Join us as we celebrate these Greater Lehigh Valley businesses that are on the move! The ranking of each company will be revealed during an awards ceremony and breakfast. Wednesday, October 24 ● 8:00 – 10:30am University Center at DeSales University Make your reservations online at: www.lvb.com/events 2018 FASTEST GROWING COMPANIES* Alloy5 Architecture Fish Window Cleaning SmartAcre, Inc. AlphaGraphics Lehigh Valley Fraser Advanced Information Systems Stratix Systems Altitude Marketing Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc. The Denzel Group Austin Master Services LLC Genomind Inc. The Good Life Companies BerkOne, Inc. Ideal Concepts, Inc. The Hillis Group LLC Berks Fire Water Restorations, Inc. JCS Health Care Services, Inc. TITAN Mobile Shredding, LLC BSEG, LLC Jerdon Construction Services LLC Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. BSI Corporate Benefits, LLC K&H Custom Window Treatments TWG Security CertaPro Painters of Reading Keystone Fire Protection Co. Unique Pretzel Bakery Creditsafe USA Inc. MGN LOGISTICS, INC. Vigon International, Inc. Customers Bank Netizen Corporation VISHTECH SERVICES COMPANY D&B Elite Construction Group Piramal Critical Care Weather Trends International Dalton Delivery Service Inc Populytics, Inc. Zeswitz Music Dream Live Prosper Quaint Oak Mortgage, LLC (*listed in alphabetical order) East Coast Floor Distribution RER Energy Group LLC Express Employment Professionals Schlouch Incorporated

Supporting Sponsor: Join the conversation! #LVBFGC Questions? Contact Dayna Edelman at [email protected] or 610-807-9619 ext. 4109. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Mike O’Rourke at [email protected] or 610-807-9619 ext. 4112. LVB.com Lehigh Valley Business • October 1, 2018 13 FOCUS ON MANUFACTURING

slowed in 2016, the company has steadily indoor temperatures. Freshpet offers FRESHPET increased the number of people buying its employees free snacks in its cafeteria and FRESHPET KITCHENS continued from page 11 products, he said. the opportunity to take home a package of < What: Fresh pet food manufacturer “At the end of 2017, that was a good free pet food each day, along with incen- < Location: North Commerce Way, Hanover bed. That changing relationship between year, but we thought there was opportu- tives to encourage high productivity. Township, Northampton County humans and their pets translates to what nity to go beyond that,” Cyr said. “The whole idea is that they know that < No. of employees: 221 goes into their food dishes. By 2020, the company wants to have its we value and appreciate them,” Cyr said. “We live at the intersection of the human- products in 23,000 stores. It’s possible the The company has 221 employees in its E-commerce customers can also get ization of pets and fresh, wholesome, all- company could surpass $500 million rev- Hanover Township plant and plans to add Freshpet delivered from online retail natural foods,” Cyr said, adding: “People are enue by 2023, he added. 100 over the next three years, Cyr said. sources, including via home delivery and always looking for higher quality and they The company distributes its products “Access to talent is always a challenge,” curbside pickup, he added. appreciate the product we make.” to customers throughout the United Cyr said. “Our goal is to make the jobs here So far, the company has spent about Freshpet manufactures all its pet food States, Canada, United Kingdom and the incredibly attractive. We’re looking for peo- $75 million on its Hanover Township facil- and treats at Freshpet Kitchens in Hanover Netherlands. Another country could be ple who have the technical skills. It’s very dif- ity and will spend another $100 million on Township, where it established a sig- added this year, he said. ficult to do what we do. Quality is job one.” its third expansion, he said. nificant presence after moving from the Freshpet also focuses on being envi- He acknowledged that Freshpet is a “We have a lot of manual operations,” Cyr Quakertown area in 2013. ronmentally and socially conscious. Its difficult business to replicate, from its said. “Our new expansion we called Kitchens MORE ADVERTISING Hanover Township facility is wind-powered technology to its manufacturing process, 2.0. It will further perfect our process.” The company began in 2006 and con- and the company provides pet food to which helps account for the company’s The 140,000 square-foot facility will have tinued growing as interest in fresh pet food organizations that breed, train and support strong growth. two high-speed production lines designed to took hold among consumers. By 2016, dogs for families in need, along with pro- The company’s products are in 18,662 make the company more efficient, he added. Freshpet hit $130 million in annual revenue. viding food for animals in shelters, Cyr said. fridges throughout the United States at Work on the new expansion should start in In March 2017, the company established its Though canines represent Freshpet’s retailers that include Wegmans, Target, spring 2019 and wrap up in 2020, he said. 2020 goals and increased its spending on biggest market, the company also makes Walmart and Petco. All the fridges are The company recently started a seven- advertising that same year, Cyr said. cat food. Dog food represents 94 percent company-owned and branded. They cost day, 24-hour operation on one production “There’s a very strong correlation of its products and cat food 6 percent, Cyr $3,500 per store installation, Cyr said. line at its Hanover Township site. Previously between media investment and people said. Freshpet produces the products at its it was a five-day, 24-hour operation. buying product,” Cyr said. ENGAGING EMPLOYEES Hanover Township site and then ships them The company could build a second Awareness of the Freshpet brand was Employee engagement is also a focus to Lineage Logistics in Upper Macungie location with high-capacity lines, Cyr said. low at the time it established its 2020 for Freshpet, particularly since workers Township, a refrigerated supply chain com- But the company has yet to determine goals, he added. While the rate of growth inside the plant have to work in colder pany that ships the products to customers. a location for the plant, which would not be operational until about 2023, he added. Freshpet gets fresh chicken from Quakertown and gets its beef from both local and Midwest sources. CHANGING A BUSINESS One of the reasons Cyr wanted to step in as CEO for Freshpet in 2016 was because he saw it as a business that a leader could help change. Earlier in his career, he worked in the orange juice business when dehydrated juice in frozen containers was the norm for retailers. Now, that model has com- pletely changed, with consumers over- whelmingly choosing fresh bottled juice. “I think the same phenomenon can hap- pen here in the pet food business,” Cyr said. He looks forward to that challenge. Don Cunningham, president and CEO of Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp., said Freshpet’s evolution as a company has been extraordinary. “In that short period of time, they’ve gone public and now they’ve come to dominate that high-quality pet food market, they’ve entered international markets,” Cunningham said. “That’s exactly the type of manufacturing success story that the Lehigh Valley wants to pride itself on.” The food and beverage manufactur- PHOTO/BRIAN PEDERSEN Employees work inside the Freshpet manufacturing facility in Hanover Township, Northampton County. The company will begin construction on its ing market is one of the top sectors of the third expansion of the plant next year. region, he added. 14 Lehigh Valley Business • October 1, 2018 LVB.com FOCUS ON MANUFACTURING A manufacturer’s guide to the tariff war By JESSICA AIELLO for U.S. manufacturers of the same good. demand for primary aluminum is satisfied rounds of their own tariffs on more than Special for Lehigh Valley Business This is one of President Donald Trump’s from imports, and steel imports are four 500 goods from the United States, includ- The trade dispute between the U.S., main motives for applying tariffs to items times the level of exports. ing computers, textiles, meat, wheat, and China and the European Union has been such as solar cells and many Chinese Effective June 1, the U.S. enacted a 25 wine. This is on top of retaliatory tariffs one of the top business stories of 2018. imports. He has argued that the lack of percent tariff on imported steel and a from countries such as Mexico, India, and But amid the noise of daily headlines, tariffs in the past has created America’s 10 percent tariff on imported aluminum the EU. it is easy to lose track of what tariffs have trade deficit, which reached $568 billion from all countries except South Korea, During a press conference in early been applied by what country to what in 2017. Argentina, Brazil, and Australia. The tariffs September, President Trump said, “We products. Here is a guide to some of the What is happening now? are expected to bring in $40 billion. have been very clear about the type of recent action. The U.S. and its trading partners have Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 changes that need to be made, and we What are tariffs? been threatening and imposing tariffs for authorizes the president to take action have given China every opportunity to Simply put, a tariff is a tax on imports, much of 2018. Here is a rundown of what when the act of a foreign government bur- treat us more fairly. But, so far, China has usually charged as a percentage of the has taken place so far. dens U.S. commerce. In 2017, the federal been unwilling to change its practices.” price that a buyer pays a foreign seller. The U.S. enacted tariffs on imported government initiated a Section 301 inves- What can businesses do? Tariffs are designed to discourage imports solar cells for a period of four years begin- tigation that ultimately had a finding of Products can be excluded for tariffs by making them more expensive. ning Feb. 7 under Section 201 of the Trade unfair trade practices by China related to under both Section 232 and 301; how- According to Oxford Economics, the Act of 1974. The push for the tariffs came intellectual property. ever, very few exemptions are approved, average U.S. tariff on imports, adjusted from a petition filed by two U.S. solar When the findings were announced, according to Jane Davis, a partner at for trade volume, is 2.4 percent, while the manufacturers, Suniva and SolarWorld. the stage was set for up to three rounds of Shumaker Williams law firm in York. average for the European Union (EU) is They claimed that imported solar cells tariffs. The first, effective July 6, amounted “The administration is not favoring 3 percent. Mexico and China impose an manufacturers had an unfair advantage. $34 billion in tariffs on Chinese industrial exclusions because if they granted too average of 4 percent. The tariffs start at 30 percent, declining by goods, such as various chemical com- many it would circumvent what the tariff However, tariffs can vary widely by the five percentage points each year over the pounds, turbines and alloys. process is supposed to do,” said Davis. type of good. Canada imposes 270 percent four-year term. Round 2, which took effect on Aug. 23, “More than 35,000 exclusion applica- tariff on dairy products, for example, while Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act added an additional $16 billion in tariffs tions have been submitted to the U.S. the United States imposes a 168 percent of 1962 allows the president to impose tar- on Chinese imports. And after the third Department of Commerce, but only 10 levy on peanuts and 350 percent on tobac- iffs or quotas if an investigation by the U.S. round of Section 301 tariffs took effect on percent have been reviewed so far, and a co, according to the Chicago Tribune. Commerce Department finds a threat to Sept. 24, it meant that nearly half of all little over half of those have been granted.” If the U.S. government decides that a national security. Chinese imports to the United States were The tariff dispute is likely to continue product is being sold at an unfairly low The Commerce Department found that affected. For the first time, this includes for the foreseeable future, according to price or is being subsidized by a foreign imported steel and aluminum threaten consumer goods such as furniture and Brian Simpson, Director of International government, it may impose additional national security because of the volume luggage. tariffs to try and level the playing field of imports: 90 percent of the total U.S. In retaliation, China announced several please see GUIDE, page 20

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American-owned company in this business.” tic steel production is TARIFFS The company already pays a 5 percent healthy,” Taylor said. continued from page 1 tariff on metal it buys from China, she EXEMPT CANADA? said. “Any additional tariff would result The U.S. has imposed zinc and baked goods exported to Canada. in significant financial strain on our U.S.- tariffs on other nations, Czachor has testified twice before the based business, threaten jobs and call into including Canada, which office of the U.S. Trade Representative to question future investment,” she added. Taylor described as a advocate for adding kegs to a list of China- These tariffs will have the perverse mistake. imported products targeted for tariffs. effect of harming the American jobs and “Canada is our close Though kegs are proposed to join the list, businesses they are trying to protect with- ally and trading partner,” officials have not yet finalized it. out affecting China, she said. Taylor said. “This is why For Czachor, the uncertainty makes it “Our Chinese suppliers are leading pro- you hear reports of man- difficult to determine how the impact of ducers of a quality product with no shortage ufacturers having prob- tariffs will affect his business. of potential customers,” Scheller said. “They PHOTO/AMERICAN KEG CO. lems with supply chain.” “I think, long-term, it’s in jeopardy do not depend on our business. They can A look inside the manufacturing facility at American Keg Co. in Pottstown Taylor said Canada has because we can’t sustain this. The price and they will sell to our foreign customers.” resulting in lost sales and jobs in the U.S., not been involved with any difference is so high.” WIDER IMPACT according to the chamber. Half of all U.S. of the unfair trading practices at issue and Czachor said there have been well- The tariffs have a significant impact on manufacturing jobs depend on exports. therefore should not be been subjected to U.S. known cases of China subsidizing its steel Hydro-Extrusion North America, which has UNFAIR PRACTICES tariffs. The overwhelming majority of prob- industry, a practice that many in the U.S. a more than 1 million square foot plant in The main source of the problem facing lems experienced by Pennsylvania manufac- say creates an unfair playing field. Cressona, Schuylkill County, where it pro- American manufacturers is China’s unfair turers is with their Canadian supply chains. “They have to fix some of these prac- duces soft alloy aluminum extrusions. trade practices, according to the leader of “We shouldn’t treat our Canadian tices, and they are cheating,” Czachor said. Mike Hammer, plant manager for Hydro, a statewide manufacturing organization. friends that way,” Taylor said. REGIONAL MANUFACTURERS FEEL THE IMPACT said the company has hundreds of plants The government in China subsidizes COMPOUNDING EFFECTS One Schuylkill County manufacturer worldwide and employs about 1,100 at its the domestic production of steel and The U.S. Chamber has been hearing has found itself at a competitive disadvan- Cressona plant. The company’s primary aluminum by giving Chinese manufactur- from many companies concerned about tage directly related to the tariffs, accord- market is its distribution markets, followed ers free land, free energy and bank loans the uncertainty surrounding tariffs. ing to the company’s leader. by the transportation/truck trailer industry that never need to be repaid, said David “What are the impacts going to be? It’s Lisa Scheller, president and chairper- and the automotive market, its strongest Taylor, president of the Pennsylvania not just the tariffs on China; there’s a com- son of Silberline Manufacturing, a global and more emerging market. Hydro’s prod- Manufacturers’ Association. pounding effect, tariffs with aluminum and manufacturer of aluminum pigments for ucts are in virtually every vehicle, he added. Companies in China sell metals into steel, higher input costs,” said Kris Denzel, paints and coatings based in Hometown, “We believe in fair trade and open mar- global markets at a price that is less senior director for international policy at the Schuylkill County, testified before the office kets,” Hammer said. “We are not really sup- than the cost of production, suppressing U.S. Chamber, based in Washington, D.C. of the U.S. Trade Representative in August. portive of [these tariffs] because it distorts production in other nations. U.S. manu- Even before tariffs went into effect, “About 40 percent of our U.S. produc- the supply chain. We’ve lost business and it’s facturers often report bids from Chinese domestic steel and aluminum prices were tion is exported to more than 35 coun- primarily with our Canadian customers.” competitors that offer a finished good – rising. The intermediate inputs will also tries,” she said in her testimony. “Much Because the economy is growing, the shipped from the other side of the world see increased costs, he said. goes to China and the rest to Asia.” tariffs have not affected Hydro too much – at a price less than the cost of American “One alternative would be working Among items critical to the company is but Hammer said the company hates companies’ raw materials, Taylor said. with our allies to adjust China’s policies,” spherical atomized powder, a raw material to lose customers. And he is concerned “That is not mathematically possible Denzel said. “We want to get back to posi- that it imports from China but which has about the future. unless the Chinese firms are cheating,” Taylor tive trade … opening up new markets but been hit by tariffs “The primary thing that drives me, that said. “In a situation like this, it is appropriate also preserving their current markets.” She listed several reasons why the U.S. motivates me is setting this up for the next for our government to intervene to defend a Denzel sees talks with the European should exempt the product from tariffs. generation,” Hammer said. “That doubt, that critical domestic industry from the predatory Union and the North American Free Trade Silberline used to buy powder almost exclu- uncertainty limits our growth opportunities.” practices of a hostile foreign government.” Agreement negotiations as part of the sively from Alcoa’s now-closed Texas atom- The company can absorb some costs The amount of steel made in China that solution to addressing China’s practices. izer, she said, but today, there are no domes- but eventually, those costs would be is in excess of China’s domestic steel con- “It’s been a long-standing challenge tic suppliers producing the powder in the passed onto the customer, he said. sumption is greater than total steel produc- that we recognize,” Denzel said. “I think quality or quantity that Silberline needs. “We do use a lot of steel and that 25 percent tion in the U.S. It’s an illegal, mercantilist certainly our administration’s strategy “Silberline chose China as its source for tariff has been impacting us as well because trade practice and not the acts of a trading with respect to China is a longer-term spherical powder not because of the price we use steel in the extrusion process. The tar- partner that could be trusted, he said. strategy. If there is a good agreement but because of its quality and technology,” iffs have really driven our tooling costs up.” The U.S. is not making as much steel reached on NAFTA with Canada and Scheller said. “The tariff would significantly Retaliatory tariffs imposed by other as it might because of subsidized foreign Mexico that could bring an unlocking disadvantage Silberline against its com- countries on U.S. exports, meanwhile, will competition, Taylor added. affect that allows us to move the ball for- petitors since Silberline is the only entirely make American goods more expensive, “We need to get to a place where domes- ward with respect to China.” Have you determined a safe withdrawal rate for retirement and know which assets to draw from first?

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www.domaniwealth.com THE LIST Largest Manufacturing Companies: Pages 21-22 LOctober 1,ists 2018 • www.LVB.com & leads Next week’s lists: Asset Managers, Investment Brokerage Firms CALENDAR BEHIND THE LIST WITH SEIFI GHASEMI OF AIR PRODUCTS Mondays through 2018 Held by: ETA Benefits Group Summary: Medicare Monday – infor- Helping grow the local economy and beyond mational session for Medicare-eligible individuals and caregivers who would The Greater Lehigh Valley has like to learn more about the program one of the fastest-growing econo- Where: ETA Benefits Group, 75 W. mies in the country, and small Catawissa St., Nesquehoning and large employers contribute Time: 10 a.m.-noon to that growth. Some of the Cost: Free largest employers in the region Contact: Joann Chickilly at joann@eta- benefits.com or 570-669-5050 include those in manufacturing, health care and education. Thursday, Oct. 4 to Thursday, Oct. 11 One in the manufacturing sector Held by: Manufacturers Resource is Air Products, a Fortune 500 com- Center pany in Trexlertown which employs Summary: TWI job instruction 2,300 people in the Lehigh Valley. Where: Manufacturers Resource Here to answer this week’s Center, 961 Marcon Blvd., Suite 200, “Behind the List” questions is Seifi Hanover Township, Lehigh County Ghasemi, chairman, president and Time: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CEO of Air Products. Cost: $495 Contact: Diane Lewis at diane.lewis@ mrcpa.org or 610-628-4578 LVB: What is your guiding philoso- phy as a business leader? Tuesday, Oct. 9 Ghasemi: I truly believe that the Held by: Manufacturers Resource only element of long-term, com- Center petitive advantage, is the degree Summary: Strategic information tech- of commitment and motivation nology for a competitive advantage of the people in the enterprise. Where: Manufacturers Resource Our competition has smart peo- Center, 961 Marcon Blvd., Suite 200, ple, they have technology, they Hanover Township, Lehigh County have capital. So, the only way to Time: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. have a competitive advantage Cost: Free lunch and learn is to create an environment, a Contact: Diane Lewis at diane.lewis@ mrcpa.org or 610-628-4578 culture, where your people want PHOTO/CONTRIBUTED to come to work and contribute, Seifi Ghasemi, chairman, president and CEO of Air Products in Trexlertown, says his passion is running companies and making them successful. Thursdays, Oct. 11 and 18 rather than simply looking at Held by: Northeast Pennsylvania work as only a means to live. leaps and bounds, and the whole of KKR. He said, “Seifi, the most Ghasemi: Our products don’t sit Manufacturers & Employers Association Creating a positive environ- enterprise prospers beyond important asset that you have on grocery store shelves, and Summary: Two day lead worker certifi- ment is the most critical task of everyone’s expectations. in business is your word. When you cannot buy them at the mall, cate training any company’s leadership. If you you tell people you are going to so there is sometimes mystery Where: Top of the 80’s, 3 Top of the can get your people to be really LVB: What is the best piece of career do something, deliver on your around what we do. I would like 80s Road, Hazleton committed and properly moti- advice that you’ve ever received? promise. Keep your word and more people to understand the Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. vated, you will end up having a Ghasemi: A piece of career advice you will gain respect and trust.” importance of industrial gases Cost: $322 member, $644 nonmember company full of CEOs, and that that really stands out was given and how they enhance our every- Contact: Chris Robbins at crobbins@ nepamaea.com or 570-622-0992 is when wonderful things hap- to me by a mentor, Mr. Henry LVB: If you could change one thing pen; performance improves by Kravis, co-CEO and co-founder about your industry, what would it be? please see GHASEMI, page 18 Tuesday, Oct. 16 Held by: Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers & Employers Association FOR YOUR INFORMATION Summary: Wine and food pairing Where: Wegmans Food Market, 820 BUSINESS NOTES by working directly with local farmers to pick among the top 20 percent of companies in its Keystone Blvd., High Ridge Business Michael J. Blum, an attorney with Gross up surplus fresh produce from local farm industry group for corporate sustainability Park, Pottsville McGinley LLP of Allentown, was recently fields and deliver it to hunger relief centers. performance. Time: 5-7 p.m. appointed to the board of directors for the HONORS REAL ESTATE Cost: $50 Boys and Girls Club of Allentown. As a board The Industrial Designers Society of Jay Haines of NAI Summit in South Contact: Chris Robbins at crobbins@ member, Blum will help guide the organiza- America has awarded Mack Trucks’ design nepamaea.com or 570-622-0992 Whitehall Township recently represented tion in its mission to enable local youth to team a Silver International Design Excellence the owner, Shirley Schneck, and the buyer, Tuesday, Oct. 16 reach their full potential through positive Award in recognition of its work on the all- PennTex Ventures, in the sale of 4 acres of Held by: Northeast Pennsylvania programming and encouragement. new Mack Anthem model. The team accept- commercial land located at 5342 Oakwood Manufacturers & Employers Association ed the award at the 2018 International Design GOOD DEEDS Lane in Schnecksville. Sarah Finney-Miller Summary: Occupational Health and Conference IDEA Ceremony & Gala in New recently represented the owner, K&T Real Penn Community Bank of Perkasie has Orleans. The Mack Anthem is manufactured Estate, in the sale of a 1.5-acre pad site please see CALENDAR, page 18 donated $15,000 to Rolling Harvest Food in Lower Macungie Township. located next to a recently developed shop- Rescue to help deliver fresh, healthy pro- Air Products of Trexlertown has been ping center, Taylor Commons, at 1325 S Main duce into the hands of food-insecure people SUBMITTING ITEMS named to the Dow Jones Sustainability North Ave. in Taylor. Email calendar items two weeks in across the area. Rolling Harvest’s goal is to America Index for the ninth consecutive advance to [email protected] turn area food pantries into farmers’ markets year. The company said it has been ranked – STACY WESCOE 18 Lehigh Valley Business • October 1, 2018 LVB.com Summary: Supervisor boot camp Contact: Darlene Robbins at drobbins@ Where: Lehigh Carbon Community College, 4525 nepamaea.com or 570-622-0992 GHASEMI CALENDAR Education Park Drive, Schnecksville continued from page 17 continued from page 17 Time: 8 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Oct. 24 Safety Administration electrical training Cost: $495 Held by: Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers & day lives — from the hydrogen that helps Where: Top of the 80’s, 3 Top of the 80s Road, Contact: Diane Lewis at [email protected] Employers Association refineries produce cleaner-burning fuels, to Hazleton or 610-628-4578 Summary: Forklift train the trainer the nitrogen that helps frozen food main- Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Top of the 80’s, 3 Top of the 80s Road, tain freshness and taste longer. Cost: $250 members, $500 nonmembers; lunch Monday, Oct. 22 Hazleton We produce gases, technologies and included Held by: Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers & Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. equipment that help our industrial cus- Contact: Chris Robbins at crobbins@nepamaea. Employers Association Cost: $435 member, $870 nonmember Summary: Accountability and empowerment training tomers improve productivity, produce com or 570-622-0992 Contact: Chris Robbins at crobbins@nepamaea. Where: Top of the 80’s, 3 Top of the 80s Road, com or 570-622-0992 better quality products, reduce energy use Hazleton and lower emissions. And we do this with Thursdays, Oct. 11 and 18 Held by: Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers & Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25 a sharp focus on safety and sustainability, Employers Association Cost: $166 members, $332 nonmembers; lunch Held by: Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers & and a deep regard for the environment Summary: Lead worker two-day certificate training included Employers Association and the communities where we operate. Where: Top of the 80’s, 3 Top of the 80s Road, Contact: Chris Robbins at crobbins@nepamaea. Summary: Roundtable: tariffs, their pros and Hazleton com or 570-622-0992 cons and how they impact the economy LVB: What motivates you to get out of bed Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Top of the 80’s, 3 Top of the 80s Road, every morning to go to work? Cost: $322 members, $644 nonmembers; lunch Tuesday, Oct. 23 Hazleton Seifi Ghasemi: I truly follow the wisdom of included Held by: Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers & Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. the quote, “Do not measure yourself by Contact: Chris Robbins at crobbins@nepamaea. Employers Association Cost: $38 member, $76 nonmember what you have accomplished, but by what com or 570-622-0992 Summary: Conflict management strategies training Contact: Chris Robbins at crobbins@nepamaea. you should have accomplished with your Where: Top of the 80’s, 3 Top of the 80s Road, com or 570-622-0992 ability.” So what motivates and drives me Fridays, Oct. 19 and 26 Hazleton Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. personally, every day, is the constant push Held by: Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers & Fridays, Nov. 9 and 16 Employers Association Cost: $166 member, $332 nonmember to find the limits of my ability. Held by: Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers & Summary: Supervisory development part two – Contact: Chris Robbins at crobbins@nepamaea. Employers Association When it comes to Air Products, we have two-day training com or 570-622-0992 Summary: Effective communications and inter- a great team of 15,000 employees work- Where: Top of the 80’s, 3 Top of the 80s Road, personal relations – two-day training ing hard to be the safest, most diverse and Hazleton Tuesday, Oct. 23 Where: Top of the 80’s, 3 Top of the 80s Road, most profitable industrial gas company in Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Held by: Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers & Hazleton the world, providing excellent service to our Cost: $322 members, $644 nonmembers; lunch Employers Association Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. customers. They get up every day and come included Summary: Hot topics for employee benefit plans Cost: $322 members, $644 nonmembers; lunch to work ready to deliver for our customers Contact: Chris Robbins at crobbins@nepamaea. Where: MAEA Conference Room, 250 One included and our shareholders. And I am very proud com or 570-622-0992 Norwegian Plaza, Pottsville Contact: Chris Robbins at crobbins@nepamaea. to be a part of that winning team. Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. com or 570-622-0992 Fridays, Oct. 19 to Nov. 9 Cost: $38 members, $76 nonmembers; lunch – CHRISTOPHER HOLLAND Held by: Manufacturers Resource Center included – CHRISTOPHER HOLLAND

The 2018 Berks County Real Estate and Development Symposium will feature speakers discussing current projects in the area and trends in commercial and residential real estate.

If you do business in the real estate and 2018 construction industry you won’t want to miss this event!

Date: Wednesday, November 7 Time: 8–10:45 am Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, Reading Register online at www.lvb.com/berskres

Major Sponsor: Supporting Sponsor:

FOR INFORMATION ON THE EVENT OR EXHIBITOR OPPORTUNITIES SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE! Contact Dayna Edelman at 610-807-9619 ext. 4109 Contact Mike O’Rourke at 610-807-9619 ext. 4112 or [email protected] or [email protected] LVB.com October 1, 2018 OFF THE CLOCK Lehigh Valley Business 19 PEOPLE: out and about, in the community and other noteworthy sightings

First Commonwealth receives international award First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union received the “Best Branch Experience” Best in Bank Customer Kistler O’Brien sends child to camp Experience Award for its innovative social banking model. Networld Media Group, publishers of ATM Kistler O’Brien Fire Protection of Bethlehem recently organized an office fundraiser to help support the Marketplace and Mobile Payments Today, handed out four international banking awards for industry- efforts of the Burn Prevention Network’s Camp Susquehanna. Camp Susquehanna is a camp dedicated leading experience strategies on Sept. 13 during a banquet that was held as part of the Bank Customer to providing children with burns opportunities, life skills, coping strategies, encouragement and more. As a Experience Summit in Chicago. Pictured from left: Levent Dagdelen, Yapı Kredi Bank (Turkey); Sérgio team, Kistler O’Brien raised enough funds to send one child to camp. On Sept. 21, Kistler O’Brien employ- Magalhães, Millennium bcp (Portugal); Ivan Orrego, First Commonwealth (Bethlehem); Candido Amorim, ees dressed down and wore “I donated” tags to spread awareness of the cause. Pictured are employees First Commonwealth (Bethlehem); Tricia Szurgot, First Commonwealth (Bethlehem); and Dan McGowan, of Kistler. Fiserv (Wisconsin).

Left: Easton Public Market donates proceeds from fundraising initiative Easton Public Market in the city’s downtown recently unveiled its new Farmstand Recipes line of grab-and-go items. A portion of the proceeds from every sale was donated to help launch the Easton Hunger Coalition’s Good 2 Go Meal Kits program. In a few months, the Highmark Farmstand was able to donate $500, which will fast-track the coalition’s program. Good 2 Go Meal Kits provide a recipe and ingredients needed for two meals for a family of four. Pictured are Highmark Farmstand assistant manager Emily Stocker (right) presenting a check to Nancy Walters, manager of Easton Hunger Coalition.

Below: Hesch Service Center celebrates 40 years in business Hesch Service Center in Whitehall held a cel- ebration to commemorate its 40th anniversary. The company, which specializes in services and repairs for cars, recreational vehicles, buses and commercial vehicles treated its employees to cake and other refreshments during the event. Pictured are the staff of Hesch. 20 Lehigh Valley Business • October 1, 2018 LVB.com

the difference between a 5 percent and a lower tariff. International sales can help you weather GUIDE 25 percent tariff. The codes are found in a No. 3: Sell your product abroad. storms better,” he went on to say. continued from page 14 tariff schedule used by nations around the Simpson and his colleagues help compa- Whatever course they choose, busi- world to identify goods. Each good has its nies work through the process of interna- nesses should be prepared to dig. Growth Services for Baker Tilly Virchow own number. tional sales, which he says, “can be done “It is very difficult to predict when and Krause, LLP. No. 2: See if there are other countries relatively low-cost.” This may involve mar- if there be will a resolution to the tariff He has three recommendations for from which you can import materials, ket research, funding a distributor abroad situation,” Davis said. “I wish there were companies looking to minimize the rather than China. Or have a component and hiring a new overseas sales team. more clear-cut options for people, but this impact of new tariffs on their business. from China sent to a country like Mexico, “Selling through international markets is a situation we haven’t faced in quite No. 1: Make sure you are using the right have the product assembled there, and is important because relying heavily on a while, so everyone is feeling their way tariff code for your product. It can mean then import it into the United States at a U.S. sales can hurt during a recession. through.” GET ON THE LIST! Deadline to Issue List(s) return survey Oct. 8 Asset Managers, Investment Brokerage Firms 9/28

Oct. 15 Tax Preparation Firms 10/5

Oct. 22 Family Owned Businesses 10/12

Oct. 29 Chambers of Commerce, Largest Pocono Employers 10/19

Nov. 5 Medical Supply Companies 10/26

Nov. 12 Architectural Firms 11/2

Nov. 19 Insurance Agencies 11/9

Nov. 26 Alternative Energy Companies, Electric & Gas Providers 11/16

Dec. 3 Credit Unions, Largest Berks Employers 11/23

Dec. 10 Commercial Property Managers, Commercial & Industrial Developers 11/29

Dec. 17 2019 Book of Lists 11/9

Dec. 24 Meeting & Conference Centers 12/14

Every week, Lehigh Valley Business publishes industry lists with information about companies and other organizations from around the region. Most of the information comes through our surveys – which are completed by the businesses and organizations themselves. There’s no charge to complete a survey, and you don’t have to be an advertiser or subscriber to be listed — you just have to have a physical presence in our nine-county coverage area (Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, Schuylkill, Monroe, Upper Bucks, Upper Montgomery and Warren, N.J.) and be willing to share information about your company. Because of space constraints, not all companies will appear in print, but information from all qualified respondents will be available online at www.LVB.com/lists. If you already have information in the database and want a link to a prefilled survey – or if you need additional information – contact Christopher Holland of Lehigh Valley Business at [email protected] or 610-807-9619, ext. 4110. 1 Lehigh Valley Business • October 1, 2018 LVB.com

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Major Supporting Sponsor: Sponsor:

For sponsorship information contact Mike O’Rourke at 610-807-9619 Ext. 4112 or [email protected] Presented by:

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3 8:00am – 10:30am • Agriplex at Allentown Fairgrounds

8:00am Registration Networking and Breakfast 9:30am Networking Break 8:30am Welcome and sponsor remarks 9:45am Employers Panel: Hiring, Retaining 8:45am Discussion Topic: Sexual Harassment and Training Staff in the Workplace With unemployment rates at historical lows learn what HR There is no denying the alarming scope and prevalence of managers from three Greater Lehigh Valley companies are workplace sexual harassment. Not a day goes by without doing to attract and retain their employees. news of another troubling example of workplace behavior. Learn from industry experts on how to prevent and what to Panelists: do if it happens. Caryn Dashukewich, Olympus Corporation of the Americas Kimberli Kyra, Barry Isett & Associates, Inc. Speakers: Amy Steigerwalt, OraSure Technologies Tina Hamilton, myHR Partner Kathleen M. Mills, Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C. 10:30am Adjourn George C. Hlavac, Esq, Norris McLaughlin

Visit www.lvb.com/events to register or view event information Questions? Please contact Dayna Edelman at [email protected] or 610-807-9619 ext. 4109. For sponsorship opportunities Contact Mike O’Rourke at [email protected] or 610-807-9619 ext. 4112.

Major Sponsors: